Carnegie Libraries Across America: A Public Legacy

Over one hundred years ago public libraries were a rarity on Americas Main Streets. One huge philanthropic gesture of wealthy industrialist Andrew Carnegie forever changed this as he donated library funds to cities and towns across the country. In 1893 the first Carnegie library opened in Fairfield Iowa. Today the 1 688 Carnegie libraries are the single largest group of historic buildings - nationally and in each state - standing as libraries museums or historic icons. Illustrates the variety of architectural styles of Carnegie libraries nationwide Indexed by state place and building including street address date of construction and current use of each library Features 75 black and white photographs THEODORE JONES (New York New York) is a writer and editor of architecture preservation and housing issues for The New York Times (American Homestyle) and the Times-Mirror Magazine Groups Home Mechanix. He was formerly a journalist for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.